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Forget the guys with the long-term contracts on the Columbus Blue Jackets for a moment.

The NHL trade deadline has traditionally been about rentals.

Impending unrestricted free agents a franchise has no intention of re-signing, or with whom contract talks are going poorly, are the most regularly swapped commodities on deadline day.

Here’s the biggest problem in pinning down who may stay and who may go … it’s nearly impossible to tell who will be selling and who is interested in buying.

With arguably every team in the Eastern Conference still alive in the race for the last seed, and at least a dozen of the Western Conference squads able to suggest the same, the playoff picture is pretty cloudy.

In the case of the Calgary Flames, they have an impending UFA with plenty of value in Olli Jokinen, but there’s no way they part ways with him — if he’d even agree to it considering his no-movement clause — while sitting within striking distance of the final few spots in the West.

So unless they drop every one of their next five games in regulation before the deadline, chances are they’ll be looking to add some talent to the mix for the final stretch of their playoff push.

With so many veteran forwards injured — and no guarantee they come back anytime soon this season — scoring is the team’s biggest need.

It’s hard to believe the Devils will let their captain get away, but if they don’t think they can sign him, they won’t let him walk away for nothing. He’s the big fish on the pending UFA market.

F Brian Rolston, New York Islanders

Age: 38; Cap hit: $5.06 million

Not sure he would fetch much unless a team sees value in his experience and leadership and wants to add to the room in that regard with the hopes he can contribute more than he has all season with the Isles. He’s been a healthy scratch recently.

D Michal Rozsival, Phoenix Coyotes

Age: 33; Cap hit: $5 million

For a few teasing years, it seemed Rozsival would be a perennial 30-point blueliner. But his play has tapered off dramatically the last couple of seasons and he’s now no more than a depth guy for a team looking to bulk up on the blueline.

F Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

Age: 35; Cap hit: $4.55 million

Doubtful Doan is going anywhere. The loyal captain of the Coyotes might finally be considering the benefits of moving on from the desert, but as long as they’re in the hunt, he’d much rather try to win a Stanley Cup there.

F Daymond Langkow, Phoenix Coyotes

Age: 35; Cap hit: $4.5 million

The former Flames warrior might actually have some appeal to them right now considering all the injuries they’ve had down the middle. Again, the Coyotes are in direct contention so unless that changes, it’s unlikely for any swap to happen between them.

F Dustin Penner, Los Angeles Kings

Age: 29; Cap hit: $4.25 million

Penner is in Darryl Sutter’s doghouse. He doesn’t work hard enough for the Kings coach and has been sitting as a healthy scratch as a result. A change of scenery might motivate the hefty winger, who is having the worst year of his NHL career but used to play the Flames hard.

F Jason Blake, Anaheim Ducks

Age: 38 ; Cap hit: $4 million

When healthy this season, Blake might be the Ducks’ MVP. The team is 13-3-3 record with him in the lineup. In those 19 games, he has five goals and nine points — largely racked up before his recent promotion to the top line. If the asking price is right, he could provide value.

F Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks

Age: Cap hit: $4 million

Ignore his age. Selanne sure seems to. The wondrous winger probably won’t go anywhere. And if he did, it would be to a serious contender with a better chance of winning the Cup than the Flames.

F Brad Boyes, Buffalo Sabres

Age: 29; Cap hit: 4 million

The Sabres reportedly are looking to unload thanks to an extremely disappointing season. So while many are looking at what it would take to pry centre Derek Roy away with another year left on his contract, Boyes could get some looks as a pure rental, too.

D Dennis Wideman, Washington Capitals

Age: 28; Cap hit: $3.94 million

With Mike Green shelved all season, Wideman has been a bright spot on the Caps blueline. His value would be sky-high in a trade right now. The problem is they might not get enough in return to help them in their own playoff race with Green’s short-term future still unsure

F David Jones, Colorado Avalanche

Age: 27; Cap hit: $2.5 million

The Avalanche are still in the race, but if they fall out of it in the coming days, Jones may be the guy to target. The big winger has been hot in the last few games amid all the trade rumours surrounding him.

F Andrei Kostitsyn, Montreal Canadiens

Age: 27; Cap hit: $3.25 million

In the Habs bad books recently for what the coach says is untimely turnovers, the Russian may find a new home by the deadline. He’s talented, for sure, but probably wouldn’t fit into the Flames’ style of play.

F Ales Hemsky, Edmonton Oilers

Age: 28; Cap hit: $4.1 million

His skills are undeniable, but he wants a long-term deal the Oilers may not be willing to sign him to, so there’s a good chance he could get shipped out. He’s just what the Flames need in terms of playmaking prowess but the price might be too high for a division rival to meet.

F Ray Whitney, Phoenix Coyotes

Age: 39; Cap hit: $3 million

With a modified no-trade clause, Whitney has a lot of control in where he lands, but he’s a guy who will be a hot commodity over the next couple of weeks. If the Coyotes decide to sell, someone will overpay for the talented winger’s temporary services.

F Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals

Age: 27; Cap hit: $6.7 million

The focus in Washington is currently on fellow pending UFA Mike Knuble, who’s been a healthy scratch. But if a team is willing to take a chance on the underperforming Semin, they could wind up with a heck of a rental who has plenty of moves and scoring ability.

F Mikhail Grabovski, Toronto Maple Leafs

Age: 28; Cap hit: $2.9 million

Too bad Grabovski played so poorly against the Flames during their game Tuesday night at the Saddledome. He’s precisely what they need. A hard-working and speedy centre with loads of offensive upside. Not sure what the price would be if they decide to let him walk.

F Paul Gaustad, Buffalo Sabres

Age: 30; Cap hit: $2.3 million

He’s a third or fourth-liner, but the Flames could use the depth down the middle. Gaustad has been a pretty solid if unspectacular player over the last seven seasons in Buffalo, capable of chipping in a little offence.

F Mike Knuble, Washington Capitals

Age: 39; Cap hit $2 million

His time is probably up with the Caps, and he’s one of those guys who would be a welcome addition to a team looking for forward depth. Whoever grabs him will hope he can return to his high-scoring ways after plummeting from the top line there.

F P-A Parenteau, New York Islanders

Age: 28; Cap hit: $1.25 million

Doubt the Isles will want to deal the winger despite the fact he wants to save contract talks for after the season. He wants to help the team make the playoffs and doesn’t want the distraction. Expect him to stay unless someone makes an offer that can’t be refused.

F Kyle Wellwood, Winnipeg Jets

Age: 28; Cap hit: $700,000

Wellwood never seems to go away, and he’s had quite a season with the Jets. Considering his experience, he might be worth a shot for teams like the Flames looking for centre help. He has 11 goals and 32 points in 56 games so far.

D Ryan Suter,

Nashville Predators

Age: 27; Cap hit: $3.5 million

Not likely to move, the Preds want to show him both the money and the will to win is there in Nashville to keep both he and partner Shea Weber around. It might come back to bite the team, but tough to blame them for not panicking and trying to keep him around long-term.